virgin orbit Virgin Orbit Achieves First Successful Orbital Launch With Air-Dropped Rocket Virgin Orbit successfully reaches orbit for the first time using its unique air-launched rocket system, delivering NASA satellites to low-Earth orbit.
china China's Lunar Mission Success Highlights Contrast With US Telescope Collapse China celebrates a historic lunar sample launch while the US mourns the dramatic collapse of the iconic Arecibo telescope.
spacex SpaceX Crew Dragon Safely Docks at International Space Station The SpaceX Crew-1 mission successfully delivers four astronauts to the orbiting laboratory, marking a major milestone for commercial human spaceflight.
nasa NASA and SpaceX Celebrate Historic Crew-1 Launch to Space Station NASA and SpaceX successfully launch four astronauts to the International Space Station on the first certified commercial crew rotation flight. The crew faces a 27.5-hour journey before docking for a six-month science mission.
spacex SpaceX Prepares to Launch First Certified Crew Mission for NASA SpaceX is ready to launch the Crew-1 mission for NASA, marking the first regular flight under its newly certified astronaut transportation system. This milestone officially shifts the historical arc of human spaceflight.
china China Launches Chang'e-5 to Bring First Lunar Samples to Earth Since 1976 China successfully launches the robotic Chang'e-5 mission to collect and return moon rocks, marking the first lunar sample-return effort in 44 years. The complex spacecraft aims to gather about four pounds of material from the Oceanus Procellarum region.
nasa NASA and SpaceX Target November 14 for First Operational Crew Dragon Mission NASA and SpaceX schedule the first operational Crew Dragon launch for November 14, carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station. This milestone mission marks the transition from testing to regular crew rotation for the SpaceX capsule.
nasa NASA Confirms Water on Sunlit Areas of the Moon NASA officially confirms the presence of water on the sunlit surface of the moon, a finding that could significantly impact future deep space exploration.
spacex SpaceX and NASA Postpone Crew-1 Astronaut Launch to Sunday SpaceX and NASA push the Crew-1 astronaut mission to Sunday due to poor drone ship weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm Eta.
nasa NASA and SpaceX Launch Historic First Commercial Crew Rotation Mission A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully carries four astronauts to the International Space Station on the first certified commercial human spacecraft system.
nasa NASA Certifies SpaceX Crew Dragon for Regular Astronaut Flights NASA officially certifies SpaceX's Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 rocket for regular astronaut missions, marking the first crew certification since the space shuttle era. The Crew-1 mission receives final approval to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station.
nasa NASA OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Successfully Grabs Sample From Asteroid Bennu NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe successfully touches down on asteroid Bennu to collect precious space dust. The spacecraft is now moving away from the asteroid to begin its journey back to Earth.
nasa NASA Taps Nokia to Construct First Lunar 4G Network NASA pays Nokia $14.1 million to build a 4G communications system on the Moon for its 2024 Artemis mission. The network will provide astronauts and lunar rovers with reliable data, voice, and high-definition video capabilities.
nasa NASA Telescope Detects Water Molecules on Moon's Sunlit Surface NASA's SOFIA airborne telescope confirms the presence of water on the sunlit lunar surface for the first time. The discovery in Clavius Crater suggests water is more widespread across the Moon than previously thought.
nasa NASA Astronauts Safely Splash Down in Gulf to Conclude Historic SpaceX Mission NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley successfully return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, landing in the Gulf of Mexico. This splashdown marks the safe completion of a historic and highly dangerous final leg of their space station mission.